the plot: With the assistence of Dr. Strange, Spider-Man is able to tap into the astral plane and rescue the victims being held prisoner by the Shade. A fight erupts between the two enemies though, and it seems the Shade is lost in the plane. However, for all the good he's done, Spider-Man is stuck in the Astral Plane so long that he misses meeting Mary Jane during her stop-over in New York.

*sigh*

the review: What an innovation in these pages! A story done in three issues. You know, as unsatisfied as I was with this arc at times, I'd have to say that it's probably the strongest by Mr. Straczynski so far in his run, and the art by John Romita and Scott Hanna was really quite good in this issue. The Astral Plane looked spooky and mysterious as it should, and the Shade was actually kind of interesting. I wouldn't mind it if he showed up again at some point, since he was a sort of unique villain.

Argh! The whole bit with Mary Jane really cheesed me off, but if that's the way the Amazing team want to do things, fair enough. At least Paul Jenkins has plans for MJ over in Peter Parker, and Kevin Smith seems to at least recognize the fact Peter and Mary Jane ARE married in his Black Cat mini-series.

And seriously, would any living, breathing man alive be horrified to fade though a womens locker room? Seriously? Amazing Spider-Man #42 was all right. Nothing to write home about, but this series is getting better with time. **1/2 out of *****.

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